The Titan Submersible Disaster and the Role of Intimidation Tactics
The tragic incident involving the Titan submersible, which resulted in the loss of five lives, has been under intense scrutiny. According to the US Coast Guard, the tour operator responsible for the disaster, OceanGate, employed intimidation tactics to avoid regulatory oversight. This revelation came after a detailed 335-page report was released, shedding light on the company’s operations and the events leading up to the catastrophic implosion.
In June 2023, OceanGate launched the Titan submersible to explore the wreckage of the Titanic at the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean. However, communication was lost shortly after the descent, triggering an urgent search and rescue mission. Days later, the wreckage of the Titan was discovered on the ocean floor, with all five passengers—CEO Stockton Rush, UK billionaire Hamish Harding, French explorer Paul Henry Nargeolet, Pakistani businessman Shahzada Dawood, and his 19-year-old son Suleman—confirmed dead.
Key Findings from the US Coast Guard Report
The report identified eight primary causal factors that led to the implosion of the Titan submersible. It criticized OceanGate’s toxic workplace environment and its disturbing pattern of misrepresentation and reckless disregard for safety. The submersible, constructed from carbon fibre, was found to be unsuitable for deep water exploration, as this material weakens with each dive.
OceanGate’s former director of engineering reportedly described the first hull used on the Titan as akin to a “high school project.” The report also highlighted the lack of third-party oversight and experienced employees during the 2023 Titan operations, allowing the CEO to bypass vital inspections and maintenance procedures.
Concerns Raised About Stockton Rush
Before the accident, several individuals raised concerns about the safety of the Titan. Rob McCallum, a former consultant, expressed worries to Rush after he decided against obtaining official certification for the submersible. In emails seen by the BBC, McCallum warned that using un-classed technology in such a hostile environment could put an entire industry at risk.
Rush responded by stating he was tired of industry players using safety arguments to hinder innovation. Their exchange ended after OceanGate’s lawyers threatened legal action. Similarly, a former employee, David Lochridge, had previously raised concerns about the safety of the Titan, citing numerous issues in an inspection report. He later filed a lawsuit against OceanGate, claiming he was fired for voicing these concerns.
Timeline of the Titan Submersible Incident
The timeline of the Titan submersible incident highlights the sequence of events leading up to the tragedy:
- Saturday, June 17: Billionaire Hamish Harding posts on Instagram revealing he is part of the crew heading to explore the Titanic wreckage.
- Sunday, June 18: The crew begins their 4,000m descent to the wreck.
- 7:30am: The vessel is dropped into the ocean in the Titan submersible.
- 9:47am: The vessel loses contact with OceanGate.
- 10am: The final signal is sent, and there is no further contact.
- 5:15pm: The submersible is due to resurface around nine hours after diving.
- 5:40pm: When the submersible fails to resurface, the crew raises the alarm with authorities.
- 10pm: All five members are identified as being on board.
Following the disappearance, a large-scale search was launched, involving various submersible crafts and aircraft. Despite efforts, the Titan was eventually found to have imploded, resulting in the deaths of all aboard.
Ongoing Concerns and Legal Implications
The report also suggested potential criminal offences related to Stockton Rush, indicating his negligence may have contributed to the deaths of four individuals. If convicted, he could face a maximum prison sentence of 10 years in the US. Additionally, in 2018, more than 35 industry leaders and deep-sea explorers wrote an open letter to Rush warning about the risks associated with his experimental approach.
Despite these warnings, Rush continued to prioritize innovation over safety, famously stating during an interview with CBS that “at some point, safety is just pure waste.” A contractor hired in 2022 voiced numerous safety concerns to a company director but was reportedly told, “You have a bad attitude, you don’t have an explorer mindset.”
The tragic events surrounding the Titan submersible serve as a stark reminder of the importance of adhering to safety protocols and the dangers of prioritizing innovation over caution.